Written Answers Thursday 11 May 2006

Scottish Executive

Air Services

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to promote air freight.

Tavish Scott: We are currently developing a National Freight Strategy for Scotland. This strategy will consider how all transport modes can be used most effectively to assist the flow of goods in, out and within Scotland and so help grow the Scottish economy in a sustainable way, including air freight.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding has been provided to health and social services in the Highlands and Islands for drug treatment services and support in each year since 1999.

Hugh Henry: The following table details funding allocated to Highland, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles for drug misuse treatment services each year from since 1999.

  

 Year
 Highland
 Orkney
 Shetland
 Western Isles


 1999-2000
 NHS - £137,000
 NHS - £16,000
 NHS - £37,000
 NHS - £20,000


 2000-01
 NHS - £181,000
 NHS - £20,000
 NHS - £42,000
 NHS - £25,000


 2001-02
NHS - £300,000LA - £277,000
NHS - £24,000LA - £26,000
NHS - £46,000LA - £30,000
NHS - £43,000LA - £37,000


 2002-03
NHS - £414,000LA - £277,000
NHS -£32,000LA - £26,000
NHS - £55,000LA - £30,000
NHS - £87,000LA - £37,000


 2003-04
NHS - £414,000LA - £277,000
NHS - £32,000LA - £26,000
NHS - £55,000LA - £30,000
NHS - £87,000LA - £37,000


 2004-05
 NHS - £435,000
 NHS - £34,000
 NHS - £58,000
 NHS £92,000


 2005-06
 NHS - £489,400
 NHS - £53,720
 NHS - £71,600
 NHS - £101,560


 2006-07
 NHS - £489,400
 NHS - £53,720
 NHS - £71,600
 NHS - £101,560



  Note: LA – local authority.

Alcohol and Drug Misuse

Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive what drug treatment services are available to people living in Campbeltown.

Hugh Henry: Argyll and Clyde Alcohol and Drug Action Team (ADAT) are responsible for the planning and delivery of drug treatment services in Campbeltown.

  Information provided by the ADAT to the Executive demonstrates that there is a full range of services located within Campbeltown including detoxification, substitute prescribing, outreach, youth work and specialist care for pregnant drug users. People living in Campbeltown may also be referred out of their area for a specific service. Detailed information on the services available in Argyll and Clyde is available at http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/dat/cap/2005_06/Argyll_clyde.pdf.

Asylum Seekers

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has calculated the financial, social and other benefits to the Scottish economy of allowing asylum seekers to take up paid employment whilst their applications for refugee status are being considered.

Malcolm Chisholm: Asylum and Immigration policy, including the right to work for asylum seekers, is the responsibility of the Home Office. The Scottish Executive has not made any calculations around this policy.

Avian Influenza

Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what period of time elapsed between confirmation being obtained that avian flu was present in a dead swan found in Cellardyke and this information being made available to the public.

Ross Finnie: Laboratory confirmation of Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza became available at approximately 16.30 hours on Wednesday, 5 April. On suspicion that the neuraminidase was N1, an appropriate response strategy was developed and a news release issued at 20.35 hours. Laboratory confirmation that the neuraminidase was N1 became available at mid-morning on 6 April and was communicated to the public along with details of the wider disease control measures, particularly the creation of the Wild Bird Risk Area, at 16.00 hours.

Concessionary Travel

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-24245 by Tavish Scott on 24 March 2006, how many individuals who submitted a valid application before 20 March 2006 did not receive their National Entitlement Card by 1 April 2006; for how long these applicants will be able to use their old travel card, and whether it is aware of applicants being told by local authorities that they may "require to re-apply".

Tavish Scott: This information is not held centrally, nor is it likely to be available from what is essentially a live database. It is intended that old travel cards will continue to be valid for local travel up to 30 June 2006, and an intensive marketing and publicity campaign is underway to remind any remaining eligible residents to renew their old cards.

  The vast majority of applications have been successfully processed, with over 822,000 cards issued by 4 May 2006. However, a tiny number of applications will inevitably go astray for a variety of reasons, and at this point it is sensible for the local authorities to advise the applicant to re-apply.

Concessionary Travel

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether pensioners residing in Scotland are entitled to free bus travel in England.

Tavish Scott: The new national free bus scheme allows a person resident in Scotland who is aged 60 years or over or who is disabled to travel on most services which operate wholly within Scotland. An eligible person can also travel on certain services to or from Northern England, which are set out in Article 2 of the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006.

Concessionary Travel

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether pensioners residing in England are entitled to free bus travel in Scotland.

Tavish Scott: Article 3 of the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Eligible Persons and Eligible Services) (Scotland) Order 2006 requires that a person who is aged 60 years or over or who is disabled must be resident in Scotland to qualify for the new national free bus travel scheme.

Cycling

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of its target to double cycle use between 2002 and 2012, how it will respond to research findings by the Lothian Cycle campaign, Spokes, suggesting that cycle project expenditure in Scotland on current trends is likely to fall from 1.4% of total transport expenditure in 2004-05 to 0.6% in 2006-07.

Tavish Scott: The Executive will continue to support cycling through funding to local authorities and cycling organisations to assist them in delivering the facilities and infrastructure needed to encourage cycling. Local authorities were granted £8.65 million for cycling, walking and safer streets projects in 2005-06 and this will increase by 2.5% to £8.87 million in 2006-07 and by another 2.5% to £9.09 million in 2007-08. It is, of course, a matter for individual authorities as how they choose to spend this money.

  In addition, funding will be provided to Regional Transport Partnerships (RTPs) across Scotland of £35 million in 2006-07 and 2007-08. RTPs are likely to consider regionally strategic cycle projects as part of their Regional Transport Strategies.

Disclosure Scotland

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities require drivers in circumstances other than transporting children to and from school to undergo enhanced Disclosure Scotland checks and what these circumstances are.

Cathy Jamieson: This is a matter for the local authorities. The information requested is not available centrally.

Emergency Services

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the requisitions apportioned to each local authority for police and fire and rescue services.

Cathy Jamieson: The way in which we make these allocations is kept under review to ensure that they reflect changing circumstances.

  The Fire GAE Working Group was established in 2004 and is currently assessing the impact of Integrated Risk Management Planning on demand. The Police GAE Working Group agreed a new distribution methodology in 2004.

Environment and Rural Affairs Department

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the stakeholder groups which currently have interests falling within the remit of its Environment and Rural Affairs Department.

Ross Finnie: The Environment and Rural Affairs Department utilises a range of stakeholder groups to support the work of the Department, and these are listed below. The remit of the groups varies according to the subject matter. In some cases members are appointed in their own right, rather than as representatives of particular organisations.

  Climate Change Review Stakeholder Group

  Scottish Odour Steering Group

  Antisocial Behaviour Act Noise Implementation Advisory Group

  Flooding Issues Advisory Committee

  Scottish Liaison Group on Waste

  Scottish Water Outputs and Capital Monitoring Groups

  Working Group on Diffuse (Water) Pollution

  Bathing Waters Review Panel

  National Stakeholder Forum for Water Environment and Water Services Act

  Scottish Sustainable Development Forum

  Scottish Biodiversity Forum

  Advisory Group on Marine and Coastal Strategy

  Marine Biodiversity Research Co-ordination Group

  Seals Forum

  Sea Fisheries Advisory and Reference Group

  Scottish Inshore Fisheries Advisory Group

  UK Quota Management Change Programme Consultative Group

  Scallop Advisory Group

  Pelagic Review Group

  Tripartite Working Group (on wild fisheries and farmed salmon)

  Fish Farm Location/Relocation Group

  Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum

  Highlands and Islands Aquaculture Forum

  Ministerial Working Group on Aquaculture

  Freshwater Fisheries Forum

  FIFG Fishery Management Groups

  Crofting Panel of Experts

  External Communications Panel (on IACs literature and forms)

  Single Farm Payment Implementation Advisory Group

  Sheep and Goat Identification and Traceability Advisory Group

  Electronic Identification/Electronic Data Transfer Advisory Group

  Less Favoured Area Stakeholder Group

  Agriculture Strategy Implementation Group

  Scottish Rural Development Plan Stakeholder Group

  Land Management Contracts Stakeholder Working Group

  Organic Stakeholders Group

  Farm Business Advice and Skills Task Group

  LEADER Stakeholder Group

  Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (Scotland)

  National Goose Management Review Group

  Animal Health and Welfare Stakeholder Group

  Scottish Animal Health and Welfare Advisory Group

  Strategic Science Advisory Panel.

Ferry Services

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive why CalMac and the Royal Bank of Scotland were among the three companies invited to tender for the Orkney and Shetland lifeline ferry contract, in light of the £71 million subsidy received, against a budget projection of £29.7 million, by NorthLink, the joint venture company in which they were partners, in the first three years of its operation.

Tavish Scott: The opportunity to express and interest in tendering for the Northern Isles contract was advertised in 2004 and 26 organisations expressed an interest in the process. The list did not include the Royal Bank of Scotland. Of the 26, nine companies subsequently submitted a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. These were evaluated by a tendering team comprising Executive specialists in procurement, finance and accountancy, transport policy and an external marine technical adviser, to assess bidders’ technical and professional ability and financial standing. Caledonian MacBrayne expressed an interest and submitted a pre qualification questionnaire. Caledonian MacBrayne was assessed as meeting the required criteria, along with two other companies. On 19 July 2005, I announced that three companies, V Ships UK Ltd, Irish Continental Ferries plc and Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd had been invited to tender for the public service contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services currently operated by NorthLink.

Ferry Services

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the detailed rankings of the evaluation of the technical and pricing submissions, including an identification of the key material differentiators between the competing bids, pertaining to the recent Orkney and Shetland lifeline ferry services tendering process and, if so, when they will be published.

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of profit was included by CalMac in its tender submission in order to ensure that it would be adequately protected from the inherent commercial risks over the full six-year term of the contract, in terms of paragraph 1.4.5 of the invitation to tender for the Orkney and Shetland lifeline ferry contract.

Tavish Scott: I refer Mr Davidson to the Guidance on Scottish Public Sector Procurement and Freedom Of Information, which sets out what tender information can and cannot be disclosed. The Guidance is available on the Executive website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/SPD/19468/FOIGuidanceDec2004.

  Both bids were technically compliant. We can only disclose the value of the winning tender after the formal award of contract and we have not reached that point yet. We cannot give details on rankings or financial models or value of unsuccessful tenders at any stage.

Ferry Services

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been put in place to ensure that the Orkney and Shetland lifeline ferry service contract is financially sound and will not require additional Executive funding support, in light of the Auditor General for Scotland’s report on the previous NorthLink contract for these services.

Tavish Scott: The Scottish Executive’s position on this issue was summarised in the Auditor General’s report on the NorthLink ferry services contract published on 22 December 2005. The Auditor General’s report also considered the current tendering process and noted that:

  "NorthLink’s financial problems have led the Executive to conclude that an appropriate balance has to be struck between the twin priorities of ensuring the continuity of services and transferring operational risks on to the new operator. The proposed contract does not seek to transfer all such risks to the operator and recognises that costs can be higher and income lower than expected for reasons beyond the operator’s control. It will therefore provide some protection to the new operator by allowing the Executive to pay additional subsidy in certain circumstances. Should income fall or costs rise sufficiently in any one year, the operator will be required to bear the impact of not making its anticipated return from providing the service plus a further £750,000 of losses before the Executive will consider paying additional subsidy. Similar to the NorthLink contract, the new contract will include financial penalties for non-performance and the clawback of subsidy if excessive profits are made."

Health

Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the number and percentage of children in each deprivation category who have attended for formal pre-school health checks in each of the last five years, broken down by NHS board.

Lewis Macdonald: The number of children can be found in the table Number of Children that had a Pre-school Review by year, NHS Board and Deprivation Category , a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 39496).

  It is not possible to accurately report these figures as a percentage as the Child Health Surveillance Programme Pre-School system (CHSP-PS) holds information only on those children who have received a review. Therefore, it was not possible to use these data to derive a ‘denominator population’ of all children who would have been eligible.

  The information requested is not available for all NHS boards. It is only held centrally for NHS boards that participate in the CHSP-PS.

Health

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations have been performed in each hospital in each year since 1990.

Mr Andy Kerr: Operations are carried out within NHSScotland in a wide range of settings dependent on a number of factors including the complexity of the operation and the clinical and personal needs of the patient.

  Trend data showing the number of principal procedures carried out on patients admitted as in-patients or day cases to Scottish hospitals is given in a table Principal Operations carried out in NHSScotland, a copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 39480).

  In addition some operations are performed in out-patient clinics. The ISD Scotland website provides details of available national figures. Currently it is difficult to describe and quantify accurately the level of operations carried out in out-patients. ISD Scotland has been working with NHS boards to capture this information. Emerging findings are published in ISD Scotland’s "data developments" web pages at http://www.isdscotland.org/data_development.

Health

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many beds have been available in each NHS hospital in each year since 1990, broken down by major category.

Mr Andy Kerr: The information requested is given in two tables in a document entitled Average available staffed beds by health board area, by specialty. A copy of this document has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 39494).

  The information shown in table 1 is for the latest eight years only. Changes in the methodology used to record specialty information were implemented from April 1996. These new coding procedures (phased in during 1996-97) mean that information for the previous years is not strictly comparable with the more recent data. Table 2 shows information from 31 March 1990 to 1997 based on "old" specialty groupings; for certain specialty groups there may be discontinuities when comparing figures for pre-1997-98 and post-1996-97 and trend comparisons should be made with caution.

  The Executive does not set target numbers for beds. These are local planning decisions taken by NHS boards who have the information necessary to take the right decisions. There are good reasons for bed numbers to reduce. We need fewer long-stay beds to take forward the policy of caring for the elderly and also for people with chronic mental illness or with learning disability, in their homes or in other community settings. Medical advances continue to reduce length of stay associated with many planned procedures and some are now routinely carried out in a few hours without the need for any overnight stay. And the NHS in Scotland is making better use of available beds. Average bed occupancy has risen from 78.5% in 1997-98 to 81.7% in 2005. But more beds are targeted where they are needed. For example, the number of intensive therapy unit beds is up by almost 20% over the last five years. These are by far the most expensive beds to staff and equip.

Justice

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions there were for under-age drinking in each year since 1990, broken down by police force.

Cathy Jamieson: The available information is given in the following table.

  Persons Proceeded Against for Under-Age Drinking1,2, by Police Force Area, 1990-91 to 2004-05

  

 Financial Year
 Central
 Dumfries and Galloway
 Fife
 Grampian
 Lothian and Borders
 Northern
 Strathclyde
 Tayside
 Scotland


 1990-91
 3
 3
 2
 8
 24
 9
 13
 12
 74


 1991-92
 0
 2
 0
 10
 3
 6
 13
 6
 40


 1992-93
 2
 2
 1
 4
 1
 3
 9
 4
 26


 1993-94
 1
 2
 0
 1
 2
 4
 9
 1
 20


 1994-95
 1
 0
 0
 0
 2
 4
 10
 6
 23


 1995-96
 0
 2
 0
 2
 0
 6
 20
 1
 31


 1996-97
 0
 0
 1
 0
 4
 6
 113
 4
 128


 1997-98
 0
 1
 2
 1
 3
 7
 179
 3
 196


 1998-99
 0
 1
 4
 2
 3
 1
 163
 7
 181


 1999-2000
 0
 0
 2
 1
 3
 3
 135
 8
 152


 2000-01
 1
 1
 1
 0
 0
 0
 75
 7
 85


 2001-02
 1
 0
 1
 0
 1
 2
 135
 11
 151


 2002-03
 6
 1
 2
 0
 3
 6
 118
 9
 145


 2003-04
 3
 0
 5
 1
 3
 2
 138
 9
 161


 2004-05
 12
 1
 5
 0
 3
 1
 175
 4
 201



  Notes:

  1. Where main offence.

  2. Includes persons aged under 18 proceeded against for buying excisable liquor or consuming in a bar, or for contraventions of bye-laws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in designated places.

Justice

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) rapes and (b) attempted rapes have been reported to police in the city of Edinburgh in each year since 2001 and how many convictions were secured following such reports.

Cathy Jamieson: The available information is shown in the following tables. However, the statistics dealing with recorded crimes and those dealing with court proceedings are not directly comparable. The former counts the number of crimes and the latter the number of persons, and clearly a person may commit or be proceeded against for more than one crime. There is also the possibility that the crime recorded by the police may be altered in the course of judicial proceedings. Also a crime may be recorded by the police in one year and court proceedings concluded in a subsequent year.

  Number of Crimes of Rape and Attempted Rape Recorded by the Police in the City of Edinburgh, 2001-02 To 2004-05

  

 
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05


 Rape
 72
 97
 88
 130


 Attempted Rape
 18
 29
 16
 26



  Number of Persons with a Charge Proved for Rape or Attempted Rape in the Lothian and Borders Police Force Area1, 2001-02 To 2004-05

  

 
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05


 Rape
 11
 7
 8
 10


 Attempted rape
 7
 2
 3
 3



  Note: 1. In all cases where the main offence is rape, prosecutions take place in the High Court, and figures for the City of Edinburgh cannot be separated from those for the rest of the Lothian and Borders area.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23970 by Cathy Jamieson on 3 April 2006, whether the two MacLeod reports should have been included in the list of investigations and inquiries requested; what remit was given to Mr MacLeod in respect of his reports, and whether it will outline the reports’ conclusions.

Cathy Jamieson: The MacLeod reports were not included in the response to S2W-23970 as these were commissioned for use in defence of a civil action. As such, they were neither an investigation nor an inquiry. Their remits were consistent with the purpose for which they were commissioned. It would be inappropriate to comment further, for the reasons given in my answer to question S2W-23155 on 20 March 2006 and in my letter of 13 April 2006 to the Convenor of the Justice 1 Committee.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search. A copy of my letter of 13 April 2006 is available at www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/justice1/papers-06/j1p06-12.pdf.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-24270 by Cathy Jamieson on 3 April 2006, why it does not hold such a record given that such records would have been required to defend the civil action brought by Shirley McKie that led to the settlement with her.

Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive did not prepare such a list to defend the civil action brought by Shirley McKie.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23157 by Cathy Jamieson on 8 March 2006, whether it will now list all the experts referred to who have reached different conclusions about the ownership of the mark and what their conclusions were.

Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-24270 on 3 April 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Justice

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, in relation to the action by Shirley McKie against the Scottish Executive and others, why, given that the Scottish Ministers’ legal team advised on 21 September 2005 that Shirley McKie’s claim was worth £328,000 on a full liability basis, it settled the case for £750,000.

Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-23666 on 12 April 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Justice

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many risk of sexual harm orders have been (a) applied for and (b) granted since the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 came into force.

Cathy Jamieson: In the seven months since the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 came into force one risk of sexual harm order has been applied for.

Justice

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many sexual offences prevention orders have been (a) applied for and (b) granted since the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 came into force.

Cathy Jamieson: We are not aware of any Sexual Offences Prevention Orders which have been applied for under the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005.

  The following table shows the number of Sexual Offences Prevention Orders applied for under the Sexual Offences Act 20031 from 1 May 2004 broken down by force.

  

 Force
 Applied for
 Granted


 Strathclyde
 61
 5


 Grampian
 82
 7


 Fife
 53
 5


 Dumfries and Galloway
 1
 1


 Central Scotland
 14
 1


 Northern
 18
 18


 Lothian and Borders
 105
 10


 Tayside
 0
 0



  Notes:

  1. Includes application which is in progress but not yet granted.

  2. Includes application for an interim order which is in progress but not yet granted

  3. Includes three full orders and two interim orders.

  4. Central Scotland Police has one application in progress (with force solicitor being prepared).

  5. Includes eight full orders and two interim orders. Lothian and Borders Police have five applications in progress (with force solicitor being prepared).

  Sexual Offences Prevention Orders under the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 are made by the court at the point of disposal whereas Sexual Offences Prevention Orders under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 are applied for by the police subsequent to conviction.

Mental Health

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice is given to (a) patients and (b) nurses and staff regarding policy as to where individuals can go when they are on leave from the State Hospital, Carstairs, and what they can do when on leave.

Lewis Macdonald: In relation to restricted patients, the State Hospital adhere to the advice contained in Section 5.10 of the Memorandum of Procedure which provides guidance to professionals for the management of restricted patients. In certain cases, visits to particular locations would not be appropriate and if such limits are identified the reasons for this are fed back to individual patients. It is important that suspension-of-detention programmes are designed and conducted in such a way as to sustain public confidence in the arrangements as a whole, and to respect the feelings and possible fears of victims and others who may have been affected by the offences. Leave will only take place when it is deemed appropriate and safe.

  I announced on 22 March, in response to the deficiencies identified in the Report by the Mental Welfare Commission into the care and treatment of Mr L and Mr M, that we were taking a number of steps to reinforce public confidence in the services that are provided. The full response is available on:

  www.scotland.gov.uk/Inquiry/Treatment.

  Scottish ministers do not have a statutory role to consent to suspension of detention of non-restricted patients.

Police

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost has been to Lothian and Borders Police of policing events involving VIP or Royal visitors, Scottish Executive and Parliament events and UK Government and EU events since 2003.

Cathy Jamieson: This information is not held centrally. It is a matter for the Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police.

Prescription Charges

Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend the list of conditions exempt from paying prescription charges.

Lewis Macdonald: We will consider fully the responses to our consultation on prescription charges and exemption arrangements before we propose any changes to the existing system.

Prison Service

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19101 by Cathy Jamieson on 15 September 2005, what fuel costs were incurred by the Scottish Prison Service in 2005-06.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The information is as follows:

  

 Year
£ Million


 2005-2006
 4.585



  Note: the cost information above excludes fuel used in vehicles, which is not measured separately from other vehicle costs.

Prison Service

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31272 by Mr Jim Wallace on 18 November 2002, whether it will provide details of the final costs of the petition of Scott Davidson for judicial review, broken down into (a) counsel’s fees and court costs, (b) expert witness reports and evidence, (c) the Scottish ministers’ liability for expenses to the petitioner and (d) other expenses.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The costs associated with the petition of Scott Davidson for judicial review to date, inclusive of VAT, are (a) £363,277 for counsel’s fees and court costs, (b) £250 for an expert report and (c) £100,500 for part of the Scottish ministers’ liability for expenses to the petitioner. The remaining costs to be borne by Scottish ministers (covering the most recent proceedings in the action) have yet to be finalised.

Prison Service

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners were diagnosed as having a mental health problem after entering prison in each year since 2000.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

  The information requested is not available. Computerised health records will become available within the SPS later this year, and will offer information about the health of the prison population.

Prison Service

Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners had an existing diagnosed mental health problem on entering prison in each year since 2000.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  The Health Care team assess each prisoner’s mental health problems on reception into prison, with appropriate support thereafter. Information on the number of prisoners with problems is not collected centrally.

Prison Service

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of fine, or range of possible fines, is imposed on Reliance for wrongly releasing a prisoner who should have been detained.

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of each case in which Reliance has been fined for wrongly releasing a prisoner, including the (a) date of the incident, (b) prisoner involved, (c) prison involved and (d) amount of fine imposed.

Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-17354 on 24 June 2004 which sets out what information the SPS and Reliance have agreed to publish. The information requested does not fall within the scope of this agreement. The agreed information can be seen on the SPS website at

  www.sps.gov.uk.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Rail Network

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements it currently has planned for Scotland’s rail network and what its rationale is for each project.

Tavish Scott: Transport Scotland is investing in improvements across the rail network both in infrastructure enhancements and service improvements to promote sustainable travel choices, support growth in the Scottish economy and improve access to jobs, training and services. This investment includes:

  Waverley Station: to provide four more train paths per hour in the station and provide better access for passengers from Princes Street with escalators and lifts up Waverley Steps.

  Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL): to stimulate economic growth in the Edinburgh city region and provide sustainable transport options for travel to Edinburgh Airport.

  Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL): to contribute to the continued and sustainable growth of Glasgow Airport, which is a major employer and is one of the biggest wealth generators in the west of Scotland.

  Airdrie – Bathgate: to improve direct access to labour markets in Glasgow, Edinburgh and West Lothian for people living in the Airdrie to Uphall corridor.

  Stirling – Alloa – Kincardine: to reconnect Alloa to the rail network attracting business and increasing access to jobs, education and services.

  Borders Railway: to transform travel opportunities from Midlothian and the Borders, making a real contribution to sustainable travel and provide a real boost to the economy of the Borders, of Midlothian and of South East Scotland as a whole.

  Transport Scotland is investing in a strong franchise that has delivered improved performance and includes commitments to £40 million of enhancements throughout the franchise period to improve passenger satisfaction and to continue to encourage growth in rail passengers.

  Future improvements will be identified through the rail strategy and the Strategic Projects Review.

  The Scottish Executive is also funding a number of local authority and regional transport partnership projects which improve interchange and access to the rail network.

  Transport Scotland has the operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more information if required.

Rail Network

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-23161 by Tavish Scott on 23 March 2006, whether it will provide details of Transport Scotland’s operational responsibilities for rail.

Tavish Scott: Information relating to Transport Scotland’s operational responsibility for rail is contained within Transport Scotland’s Corporate Plan, which can be found at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/12/22165105/51058.

Rail Network

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-24394 by Tavish Scott on 29 March 2006, stating "The West of Scotland Regional Transport Partnership (RTP) will continue to have a planning role in its obligations to create a multi-modal regional transport strategy. In addition, the RTP will have a role in promoting rail projects and in the development of service improvement proposals" and in light of the statement on the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport website that "SPT’s rail functions have already been transferred to Transport Scotland", whether it will confirm that it is no longer the case that the RTP "will continue to manage, develop and monitor rail services in its area" as stated by Nicol Stephen in the answer to question S2W-12526 on 20 December 2004.

Tavish Scott: Transport Scotland is now responsible for managing the delivery of passenger rail services across the whole of Scotland including the West of Scotland Regional Partnership area. The failure to reach an agreement with SPT in respect of their continued role in rail, with the subsequent transfer of specialist rail staff to Transport Scotland.

Rail Network

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-24393 by Tavish Scott on 29 March 2006, whether it is continuing to seek a written agreement between itself or Transport Scotland and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport in respect of which rail functions the partnership will manage, develop and monitor.

Tavish Scott: The Executive and Transport Scotland are not currently seeking to formalise an agreement with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport on this matter.

Rail Network

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to re-brand Strathclyde Partnership for Transport rolling stock.

Tavish Scott: There is no Strathclyde Partnership for Transport rolling stock. All rolling stock used in the delivery of ScotRail services is leased by First ScotRail. The Executive is currently looking at the appropriate brand in the medium and longer term for ScotRail and this will include a review of the branding of rolling stock in SPT or former Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive livery.

Rail Network

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the role of Transport Scotland in relation to the operation of rail services within the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport area in any way differs from its role in relation to the operation of First ScotRail services in the rest of Scotland, and if so, what the differences are.

Tavish Scott: There are some distinct provisions in the franchise agreement in respect of the former Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive area which differ from those which apply to the rest of Scotland.

  Principal among these are provisions on the use of branding specified by the Scottish ministers, the timing of fares increases, and fares setting.

  Transport Scotland manages the delivery of passenger rail services in Scotland under the franchise agreement and works to ensure that service quality and passenger satisfaction is driven up across the whole of the area served by the ScotRail franchise.

Rail Network

Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has greater responsibilities for rail than other mainland regional transport partnerships and, if so, what those additional responsibilities are.

Tavish Scott: The role of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport in relation to rail is the same as the role of other regional transport partnerships in Scotland. The significant responsibilities for rail project promotion and delivery that rested with Strathclyde Passenger Transport prior to 1 April 2006 transferred to Strathclyde Partnership for Transport on that date. These responsibilities are of a greater scale than those of other regional transport partnerships.

Rail Services

Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to implement the recommendations of the report submitted by West Lothian Council which proposed the introduction of express rail services on the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts line.

Tavish Scott: The Executive response to West Lothian Council’s report in July 2004 highlighted that the study had identified key issues which still need to be addressed. More recently a different service pattern achieving more quick journeys which might have wider benefits has been suggested. West Lothian Council has now reconvened the working group and has commissioned further work both to address the outstanding issues in the original study and to evaluate the alternative service pattern.

  The Executive will consider whether to implement any of the outcomes of that study evaluated.

  Transport Scotland has the operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more information if required.

Registers of Scotland

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many registration of title applications are outstanding and, of these, how many have been outstanding for more than (a) six months, (b) one year, (c) two years, (d) three years, (e) four years and (f) five years.

Johann Lamont: The length of time that an application for registration takes to process depends on its complexity and factors such as the availability of supporting documentation from applicants, the completeness of neighbouring titles and whether there are associated applications that should be processed at the same time. The current totals of applications for registration in the Land Register that are in the course of being processed are as follows:

  

 Age Band
 Stock
 Relative Intake


<6 months
 69,491
 189,832


 6-12 months
 31,942
 183,797


 1-2 years
 39,624
 362,371


 2-3 years
 21,433
 342,482


 3-4 years
 8,138
 283,905


 4-5 years
 1,880
 246,967


> 5 years
 327
 



  Over the period 2005-06 Registers of Scotland have specifically addressed arrears of the oldest casework. The number of cases older than three years has dropped from 14,128 to 9,345.

Registers of Scotland

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S2W-14490 by Johann Lamont on 14 March 2005, what progress Registers of Scotland has made in meeting its target to eliminate stocks of domestic first registration applications over one year old.

Johann Lamont: In 2004-05, ministers set a target to eliminate stocks of domestic First Registrations over 1 year old during the next three years with a milestone reduction of 25% from the stock position at 31 March 2004 by 31 March 2005. Registers of Scotland met this target. The 2005-06 target was to achieve a 62% stock reduction against the 31 March 2004 baseline by 31 March 2006. Registers of Scotland achieved a 52% reduction.

  Experience in working towards these targets demonstrated that factors outwith the control of the Registers of Scotland may influence the time taken to complete domestic First Registrations. The target for 2006-07 has therefore been amended to "achieve recording and registration turnaround times averaging no more than 100 working days for all domestic first registrations".

Registers of Scotland

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-14467 by Johann Lamont on 14 March 2005, whether it will provide details of the (a) number and (b) value of indemnity payments made to those who have suffered loss as a result of an inaccuracy in a land certificate in each of the last three years for which information is available.

Johann Lamont: The information on indemnity payments is as follows:

  

 
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 No. of Payments 
 86
 77
 83


 Value of Indemnity Payments
£410,417
£446,978
£394,174


 Average Payment
£4,772
£5,805
£4,749


 No. of Applications for Registration in the Land Register
 342,408
 359,711
 370,349


 % of Payments to Applications
 0.03%
 0.02%
 0.02%


 No. of Registered Titles
 1,074,000
 1,166,000
 1,256,000


 Ratio of Payments to Registered Titles (rounded)
 1:12,500
 1:15,100
 1:15,100

Registers of Scotland

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to S2W-14465 by Johann Lamont on 14 March 2005, whether Registers of Scotland is on target to begin the roll-out of the Automated Registration of Title to Land (ARTL) from November 2006.

Johann Lamont: Yes. The ARTL project remains on target to accept the first applications for registration of an electronic deed in November and for live operation to be available throughout Scotland by April 2007.

Road Accidents

Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a strategy in place to target road safety campaign advertising on areas that suffer from high levels of fatal accidents.

Tavish Scott: No. The Scottish Executive provides funding to Road Safety Scotland (RSS) for the development of key road safety education initiatives and publicity messages. Campaigns by RSS are mainly undertaken on a national basis and focus on the main causes of casualties. These include issues such as speeding, drink and drug driving, seatbelt wearing and young drivers. RSS is also looking at the development of campaigns addressing motorcyclist safety and rural road safety.

  Local authorities have a statutory duty to take appropriate measures to prevent accidents on roads for which they are responsible. This includes the dissemination of information and advice relating to the use of roads.

Road Accidents

Ms Maureen Watt (North East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the number of fatal and serious road accidents is taken into account when decisions are taken about whether to upgrade trunk roads.

Tavish Scott: The assessment of proposals for new and improved roads does take account of fatal and serious accidents along with other criteria.

  Transport Scotland has the operational responsibility for this area and can be contacted for more information if required.

Road Accidents

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question SW2-23823 by Tavish Scott on 7 April 2006, how many (a) road traffic accidents and (b) fatalities and serious injuries there were on the A726 between Strathaven and East Kilbride in each of the last 10 years.

Tavish Scott: Data about personal injury road accidents are collected by the police and reported to the Scottish Executive using the STATS 19 statistical report form. The following table gives the numbers of road accidents which were identified in these returns as occurring on the A726 between Strathaven and the junction at the south-east of the Birniehill roundabout in East Kilbride, from 1995 to 2004, and the associated numbers of fatalities and serious injuries.

  It should be noted that the statistics given below are based upon the data which are held in the Scottish Executive’s road accident statistics database and which were collected by the police at the time of the accident and subsequently reported to the Executive. They may differ from any figures which the local authorities would provide now, because they do not take account of any subsequent changes or corrections that local authorities may have made to the statistical information, for use at local level, about the location of each accident, based upon their knowledge of the roads and areas concerned.

  Injury road accidents occurring on the A726, between Strathaven and East Kilbride (the junction at the south-east of Birniehill roundabout) and the associated numbers of fatalities and serious injuries, as reported in the STATS 19 statistical returns.

  

 Year
 Injury Accidents
 Fatalities
 Seriously-Injured Casualties


 1995
 19
 0
 4


 1996
 18
 0
 5


 1997
 20
 0
 13


 1998
 18
 1
 4


 1999
 16
 1
 4


 2000
 10
 0
 3


 2001
 13
 1
 4


 2002
 18
 0
 5


 2003
 17
 2
 1


 2004
 6
 0
 0



  Provisional numbers of road accidents and casualties in 2005 as a whole will be published in June.

Roads

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what inquiries it has instigated regarding the closure of, and danger of rock fall on, the Back O’Hill Road, Stirling, which had to be closed for public safety reasons three days after it was opened by the Minister for Communities.

Tavish Scott: None. The Back O’Hill Road is a local road and therefore the statutory responsibility for its safety, maintenance and repair lies with Stirling Council as the local roads authority.

Roads

Linda Fabiani (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-23824 and S2W-23825 by Tavish Scott on 15 March 2006, whether the A726 is a trunk road or a local road and who has responsibility for the safety audit.

Tavish Scott: The A726 comprises both trunk and local road sections. The trunk road section runs from Phillipshill Interchange to Birniehill Roundabout, linking the Glasgow Southern Orbital with the A725 East Kilbride Expressway. It is managed and maintained by Amey Infrastructure Services on behalf of Transport Scotland.

  The remainder of the A726 is a local road and is the responsibility of the appropriate local road authorities, South Lanarkshire, East Renfrewshire and City of Glasgow Councils. Each roads authority is responsible for safety on the section of road for which it is responsible.

  Transport Scotland has the operational responsibility for this area and can be contacted for more information if required.

Scottish Enterprise

Christine May (Central Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in setting Scottish Enterprise’s budget for 2006-07.

Nicol Stephen: I have today written to Sir John Ward, in respect of Scottish Enterprise’s budget for 2006-07. A copy of this letter is being placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 39557)

  The Executive will provide an additional £45 million of resource cover so Scottish Enterprise can meet its non-cash requirements in 2006-07 and access reserves. Scottish Enterprise will also be able to retain receipts up to £5 million above the previously agreed target. These steps will cover repayment of the non-cash element of the budget overspend in 2005-06. Scottish Enterprise will therefore be able to deploy an additional £50 million of resources. This will now allow the board to agree Scottish Enterprise’s budget for 2006-07, reflecting Executive priorities, when it meets on Friday 12 May.

Sectarianism

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will involve Rangers and Celtic football clubs and the Scottish Premier League in the development of its Action Plan on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland and in the Task Group on Tackling Sectarianism, particularly in respect of combating any unacceptable behaviour by some fans during and after matches.

Patricia Ferguson: As part of the Action Plan on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland launched in January we are working in partnership with the Scottish Football Association and  sportscotland to develop a strategy for tackling sectarianism in football. This will be launched by the end of 2006. We will consider how best to engage stakeholders in this process. The Executive has already started a consultation exercise with supporters’ groups and their views will inform the development of the strategy.

  The Task Group on Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland is made up of Strathclyde Police; Scottish Interfaith Council and Education for Mutual Understanding; Sense over Sectarianism, and the Scottish Executive. The task group is working independently to develop new initiatives to tackle sectarianism and will identify and work with partners to take those initiatives forward. It is anticipated that the task group will present their initial findings to ministers in the autumn.

  There are already some positive examples of work being done by both Old Firm clubs to combat sectarianism. The most recent is the Old Firm Alliance (OFA) project, a joint initiative by Glasgow Alliance, and Celtic and Rangers Football Clubs. Launched in April last year, it uses football to educate young people about the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, raise self-esteem and confidence, provide them with positive role models and challenge racist and sectarian attitudes and anti-social behaviour. Events organised by the OFA have been well attended and well received. I am pleased to confirm that the OFA recently secured further funding to continue its good work through 2006-07. The Executive commends initiatives such as this and welcomes the way the Old Firm clubs are working together to tackle these issues.

Tourism

Mr Alasdair Morrison (Western Isles) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the contribution of golf tourism to the Scottish economy.

Patricia Ferguson: Golf tourism is worth over £300 million to the Scottish economy, and the golf industry sustains around 7,000 jobs.

Transport

Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how the planned Modern Transport System in north-east Scotland will help tackle congestion, sustain and enable development and improve the quality of life for residents.

Tavish Scott: The implementation of the Modern Transport System is enabling the north-east to be more competitive by improving journey times and reducing congestion, and enhancing and protecting the environment by making public transport, cycling and walking more attractive and accessible alternatives.

Transport

Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether signposting to advertise lorry parks is permissible on motorways.

Tavish Scott: The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 contains all prescribed road signs which can be used on roads throughout the United Kingdom. It does not prescribe any road signs giving directions to lorry parks from motorways.

  Scottish ministers have powers to authorise non-prescribed road signs. It would be for the appropriate road operator to make application to Scottish ministers should they consider such signs were necessary for traffic management or road safety reasons.